The Rams Captain Courageous has done a Columbus and headed to America as part of his rehab from a long term knee injury.

By the end of the year it will be going on 2 years since Shaun Barker pulled on a Derby shirt and at 31 years of age, any set back could mean the end of his career.

It has been slow but steady as Barker and the DCFC medical staff has ensured his recovery is perfectly executed, giving him every opportunity to return once again to the first team and command at the back for the Rams.

It was way back in March 2012 when Shaun not only dislocated his kneecap but also ruptured his medial ligament, anterior cruciate ligament and posterior cruciate ligaments, as well as damage to his patella femoral ligament. Ouch!

There is no time frame on Barker returning to partial or full training but when he does return it will only be because he has fully recovered and has the best chance of getting at least a couple more years out of his body.

Shaun will head to Philadelphia after the Sheffield Wednesday match this weekend, where he will be worked on by sports rehab specialist Bill Knowles.

Knowles is a highly respected Athletic Development Coach & Sports Rehabilitation Specialist who has worked with athletes of all type from many sports including Olympic athletes.

Speaking to the official DCFC site Shaun Barker was buoyant about the opportunity:

“Knowles came over a few months ago so he’s someone I’ve met already and spoken to about my injury alongside our medical team. I am grateful that the club and Steve McClaren are allowing me to go out to him for two weeks.”

“He is a top rehabilitation coach who has worked with various sportspeople. I will have two tough weeks of work out there and I’m looking forward to it. I’m in a good place going out there thanks to the medical team here at Derby; I’ve progressed in recent months to put heavier weight on my knee and I think my time in America will be very valuable.”

Derby County Head Physiotherapist Neil Sullivan also speaking to the official site:

“Bill Knowles is a leading expert on joint compromised athletes. He is someone that I invited to the Training Centre earlier this year to spend two days training our Medical Team in his methods and practices and to meet Shaun to discuss his rehabilitation.”

“For us to be able to call upon the best specialists in the world to give Shaun that extra boost is invaluable. At this stage, although Shaun is still making progress, he is still some way off.”

“We obviously want him to have the best chance possible of resuming his career and this trip to see Bill will help with that aim.”

I am sure I speak for all Rams fans when I say we cannot wait to see Shaun lining up for the Rams once more, he is someone we could use in the team now as the Rams continually make a dogs breakfast of their defensive work at least once a match.

Good luck Shaun — hopefully you can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Oh… and grab us a pretzel while you are there!

The Cavalry Is Coming

It seems the Rams will soon have a glut of players returning from injury (cue sigh of relief) with Paul Simpson telling the media that following the international break, many will be back or very close to being back.

Johnny Russell, Ben Davies, Jeff Hendrick, James Bailey, Zak Whitbread and Mark O'Brien are all a chance to be back in full training by the end of November.

Speaking to BBC Radio Derby, Simpson was optimistic:

"We have to be really careful because they could have a setback but we are looking at four, five or even six players who could be back into the group for when that international window finishes in three weeks."

Fingers crossed for all the boys as competition for places will hopefully assist in pushing the squad forward, which is sorely required as unlike the line up at the treatment table, it is starting to look paper thin.

International Rams

Jamie Ward has been rewarded for his recent goal scoring form, by being selected for international duty when Northern Ireland meets Turkey next week. If selected for the match it will be Ward’s 10th Cap for Northern Island.

Craig Bryson also received a call up to the Scotland squad that will take on both the USA and Norway during the upcoming international break. Bryson has only won himself one cap which was against the Faroe Islands in November 2010. After a long absence from the Scottish squad — he made the bench last month against Croatia and is well overdue for a recall considering his brilliant form at club level.

Mason Bennett got the nod for the England Under 19’s squad for their clash against Hungary, while promising Rams youngster Valentin Gjokaj, will be part of the Albanian Under 21 squad for matches in the European Championships Qualifiers against Hungary and Spain.

Unfortunately for Richard Keogh & Conor Sammon, both players have not been selected for the Republic Of Ireland squad, after having been regulars members in recent times.

Good luck to all who are involved - and remember - DON'T GET INJURED!!

See'ya Cisse!

After playing for the U21 sqaud a few times and training with the Rams in recent weeks, Kalifa Cisse will not be offered a contract by DCFC after Steve McClaren admitted to the media that he had decided that the 29-year-old was not part of his plans going forward:

"I don't think we are going to do anything with Kalifa.”

Macca is definitely to the point - just the way we like it!

All at RamZone wish Kalifa all the best in finding a new home.

Photo: Action Images

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